# NTSB ERA10LA047: Mooney M20C, N6896U, Fairview, NC, November 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 2009, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Fairview, NC - Coordinates: 35.496665, -82.407775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4967&lon=-82.4078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75002/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75002 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA047 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was about 8,000 feet above mean sea level on an instrument flight rules flight when the pilot reported a total loss of engine power to air traffic control (ATC). Upon request of the pilot, ATC provided vectors to a nearby airport. When it became apparent that the airplane would not make it, the pilot elected to land in an empty field divided by a line of trees. As the airplane made its final approach, its right wing impacted a tree, causing the airplane to swing around and impact the ground nose first before coming to rest inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported no visual indication or odor of fuel at the accident site. The wreckage recovery crew also reported that no fuel was observed during the recovery process. A wreckage examination revealed no discrepancy with the airplane’s fuel system. The pilot stated that the airplane was topped off 17 days prior to the accident and that he flew four flights for a total of 4 hours, including the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 2009, at 1720 eastern standard time, a Mooney 20C, N6896U, collided with a tree during a force landing following a loss of engine power in Fairview, North Carolina. The airplane incurred substantial damage and the pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight from the Smith Reynolds Airport (INT), Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), Asheville, North Carolina. The airplane was registered to and operated by an individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The flight departed INT about 1609, earlier that day. The pilot stated that he and his passenger were about 50 minutes into the flight when the engine’s “power rolled back” and the propeller continued to windmill. The airplane was at an altitude of 8,000 feet mean sea level at that time. The pilot placed the electric fuel pump on and switched fuel tanks; however, the engine never regained power. The pilot advised the air traffic controller of the situation and requested vectors for the nearest airport. He set up the airplane for best glide configuration. The pilot realized the airplane was not going to reach the intended airport and elected to land in an open corn field, which was separated into two sections by trees. The airplane’s right wing impacted a tree about 50 feet above the ground. The airplane swung around and impacted the ground nose first before coming to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger were extricated from the wreckage by rescue personnel and taken to the hospital. The accident site was about 9 miles east of AVL. The first responders reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector on scene that there was no visual indication or odor of fuel at the accident site. The wreckage recovery crew reported that no fuel was observed during the recovery process. The pilot stated that the airplane was topped off on October 24, 2009, and that it can could hold a total of 52 gallons, 4 of them unusable. Since the top off the, the airplane has flownflew a total of 4 four flights: one for 1.5 hours, another for 1 hour, another local flight of about 40 minutes, and the 50- minute accident flight. During his preflight inspection, the pilot visually checked the fuel levels in each tank, observing that the right wing was about at 1/4 tank and the left wing was about at 1/2 tank. The engine had accumulated about 120 hours since overhaul, and the pilot believed that the fuel consumption was about 9 gallons per hour. A representative from the fixed base operator at INT, where the accident airplane is was based, stated that fueling records showed that on October 17, 2009, the airplane was serviced with 30 gallons of fuel. A wreckage examination by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed no discrepancy with the airplane’s fuel system. The airplane’s TypeCertificate Data Sheets makes reference to fuel capacity as 48 gallons usable and about 1/2 gallon (3.4 lb) unusable, for a total of 48.5 gallons maximum capacity. The Textron Lycoming, 5th edition, Operator’s Manual, for the O-360 and associated model engines, makes reference to a fuel consumption of 10.5 gallons per hour at 75 % power setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6896U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6896U-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 2600, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2573 - Airframe hours: 8527 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2009 - Departed: INT, Winston-Salem, NC - Destination: AVL, Asheville, NC - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 5,223 total, 3,555 in this make and model, 5,025 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: AVL, 9 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20091103050959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091103050959A), Nov 3, 2009: Mooney M20C, Fairview, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed upside down in field due of loss of power. During the pilot's attempt to make an emergency landing, the right wing stuck a tree. No evidence… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75002. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Statements Made to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Statements%20Made%20to%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector.-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Controller's Statement. (item 3, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Air%20Traffic%20Controller%27s%20Statement.-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: Excerpts From Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Transcript. (item 4, .PDF, 352 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Air%20Traffic%20Control%20Transcript.-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies: Excerpts From Fairview Volunteer Fire and Rescue Report. (item 5, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20Fairview%20Volunteer%20Fire%20and%20Rescue%20Report.-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies: Excerpts From the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Report. (item 6, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Buncombe%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Report.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Records of Conversation. (item 7, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Records%20of%20Conversation.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Excerpts From the Airplane's Maintenance Records. (item 8, .PDF, 531 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Airplane%27s%20Maintenance%20Records.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Excerpts From the Pilot's Flight Logbook. (item 9, .PDF, 982 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Pilot%27s%20Flight%20Logbook.-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies: NTSB Wreckage Examination Notes. (item 10, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Notes.-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Excerpts From the Type Certificate Data Sheets. (item 11, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Type%20Certificate%20Data%20Sheets.-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Excerpts From Lycoming Operator's Manual. (item 12, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20Lycoming%20Operator%27s%20Manual.-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 13, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.